Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located 16km (10 miles) to the southeast of central Nairobi, in the Embakasi suburb of the capital.

Airport code

NBO

Airport news

In August 2013, a fire caused severe damage to the international arrivals area. Following the fire, international flights temporarily operated from the domestic Unit 3 concourse, but have since switched back to the original Unit 1.Further planned expansion to the airport is extensive, with both a new runway and terminal building set to be added. Construction of the runway will run from January 2016 until December 2017 and the new 'Greenfield Terminal', which once completed will be the largest terminal facility in Africa, is set to open in 2016.

Transfer between terminals

The three ‘units’ are all linked via covered walkways to a central terminal building.

Driving directions

Driving to the airport from central Nairobi is straightforward; take the A104 (Mombasa Road) southwards which leads directly past the airport entrance.

Car rental

The car hire companies Avis, Budget, Naz, Payless and Sixt are represented at the airport.

Public transport and taxis

Bus: Services between the airport and the city centre depart from the bus stops outside Units 1 and 2 frequently throughout the day (journey time: 45 minutes; fare: KSh40).Shuttle: Green and Yellow Citi Hoppa shuttle services are a low-cost alternative to taxis, with fares to the city starting at around KSh50. Please note, in July 2013 it was widely reported that Citi Hoppa drivers were colluding with gangsters to rob passengers. Although these claims were denied by the company, travellers use the service at their own discretion and licensed taxis remain a safer alternative.Taxi: Official taxis, operated by Kenatco (tel: +254 20 250 6790; www.kenatco.com), are available outside the arrivals hall. These take travellers to the city for a fixed fare, which ranges from KSh1200-1700 (agreement on the price should be established in advance). The journey time to central Nairobi is 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and the time of day. Visitors are advised to avoid the many private taxi touts.

The airport is split into three 'units'. Domestic flights operate from Unit 3, while international flights run from Unit 1 and 2. Information counters can be found in each of the terminal ‘units’ as well as in the arrivals hall.

Airport Facilities

Money: ATMs, banking facilities and currency exchange services are available in the terminal building.Communications: A post office is located within the terminal. Paid-for Wi-Fi is also available in the terminal complex. Additionally, there is an internet café in the departures area.Food: There is a restaurant on the fifth floor of the terminal building. A café is available in Unit 1, a restaurant and pub are located in Unit 2 and cafés and snack bars can be found in Unit 3 and the international arrivals hall. There are soft drink vending machines throughout the airport.Shopping: There are numerous shops at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. These include an African clothes shops, jewellery retailer, bookshop, fashion shops and duty-free shops selling tobacco, spirits, cosmetics, toiletries, gift items and much more.Luggage: There is a left-luggage service at the airport. For inquiries about lost luggage, contact one of the information counters.Other facilities: A first aid service is available to aid passengers with accidents and emergencies. Baby care facilities can be found throughout the terminal building and there is a children’s play area. A prayer room is available to visitors of Muslim and Christian faiths. Tour operators and travel agents are present to help with bookings and tourist information.

Conference and business facilities

There are no conference facilities as such at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, but there is one VIP lounge for business class travellers. Enquire at the information counters for fax, printer or copy services.The nearest hotel with meeting facilities is the Panari (tel: +254 20 394 6000; www.panarihotels.com), which has a range of meeting rooms in varying sizes. Many larger hotels in the city centre also offer such facilities.

Disabled facilities

There are toilets accessible to wheelchair users in the terminal, but facilities are basic. Passengers in need of assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.

Airport hotels

There are no hotels at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. There are, however, plans for a transit hotel within the terminal complex, but details are not yet confirmed. Most accommodation is to be found in the city centre, around 20 minutes away.

Hotel Ambassadeur NairobiWithin 30 minutes of the airport, the 3-star Hotel Ambassadeur is a long-standing favourite, having opened its doors in 1961. Facilities here include a restaurant and a bar that puts on live jazz music.Moi AvenueNairobi, KenyaTel: +254 20 224 6615.Web: www.hotelambassadeurkenya.com